Zhang Zhao, Sun Quan, and the others passed through the checkpoint of the West Gate without any mishap. In front of them, there were no soldiers who would block the gate to prevent the common people from passing through. After passing through the gate, the sky was really high. When Zhang Zhao came to Jiangdong at that time, he came empty-handed.
"So what if it's Sun Ce? So what if it's Lu Su? They are just small fries. Chase them, chase them. Find me at the Southern Gate. I, Zhang Zhao, will return." Just as Zhang Zhao was about to turn around and leave, a group of cavalrymen suddenly appeared from the Western Gate. The leader of the cavalrymen immediately shouted, "Under the orders of Lu Su, the Eastern and Western Gates are to be closed. No commoners are to leave the city. Those who leave the city are to be chased back immediately!"
"Not good!" Zhang Zhao panicked. He had underestimated Lu Su. To think that he could tell that he wasn't at the Southern Gate. He wasn't afraid of closing the Eastern and Western Gates, but he was afraid that the commoners would be chased back.
The commoners didn't have carriages and only had a pair of legs. How could they outrun the cavalrymen on their horses?
"Boom boom boom!" "The West Gate and the East Gate have been surrounded by horse fences. None of the commoners are allowed to pass through. The commoners who have already left the city have been ordered to stand aside and wait for inspection. Those who have run further away have also been chased back.
"Master Zhang, what should we do now?!" Sun Quan was also panicking. If they were stopped and checked one by one, none of them would be able to escape.
"My lord, don't panic!" Zhang Zhao calmed himself down. It had to be said that Zhang Zhao was quite capable. Even at a time like this, he was still able to remain calm.
"Zhang Da, Zhang Er, quickly go to the crowd and tell them that Lu Su and Sun Ce are going to settle the score after this. All the commoners who fought on the city walls will be captured and executed. Go! "Zhang Zhao shouted to the two servants beside him.
"Yes!" Zhang Da and Zhang Er nodded and left.
"What's going on? Why aren't they letting us go back? “
"That's right, that's right. The war is over. Let us go home. We don't want to stay in the city anymore!" Some of the commoners were worried, some were terrified. Originally, the commoners were forcibly brought to the city by Sun Quan. Now that Sun Quan was defeated, the commoners thought that they could leave, but they were driven back.
When Zhang Da and Zhang Er entered the crowd, they squeezed their way to the place where the discussion was the most boisterous.
"Have you heard? General Sun Ce is going to settle accounts!" Zhang Da was the first to speak.
"Settle accounts? What kind of battle is that? " The commoners on the side didn't understand. They brought us into the city during the war. Now that the war is over, they naturally let us out.
"What debt? Haha, all of you think too highly of Wu Hou! " Zhang Da sneered, "You all went up the city wall one by one and killed so many of Marquis Wu's subordinates. Do you think he won't settle the score with you? I'm just kidding. "
"That's because we were forced. It was Sun Quan who forced us." A commoner retorted.
"Forced you? That's the same as killing you!" Some of the commoners who had just taken off their armor and put down their swords changed their expressions.
"We didn't kill them. Don't be afraid. We're fine." Some of the commoners rejoiced because they didn't go to the battlefield.
"So what if you didn't kill them? Can you say that your relatives didn't go up the city wall? Can you say it? Can you? No matter what, you are all following the bandits. Sun Ce wanted to kill all of you with a single slash. Now you see, those soldiers want to capture all of you and bring you back to the city center. They want to kill thousands of people as a warning to you. " Zhang Da didn't say anything. If Sun Ce wanted to kill all of these people, it was unrealistic. Killing thousands of people was still reasonable.
With a few thousand people, these commoners began to wonder if they would die. A feeling of panic began to spread among these commoners.
"That's a good idea!"
"That's right. It might be our turn now. Sigh!"
Looking at the panic of the commoners below, Zhang Da and Zhang Er sneered. "If you want to live, it's not like there's no way!"
"Little brother, quickly say it. Quickly say it!" Naturally, there were people on the side who treated Zhang Da and Zhang Er as their life-saving straw.
"If you want to live, then run."
"Sun Cejun's soldiers asked us to stop." Some of the commoners hesitated.
"If you want to live, then listen to him. The law doesn't punish the majority. Rushing out is the only way to live. If you run with the fire, he can still chase you all back." Zhang Da and Zhang Er instigated.
"Yes, the law doesn't punish the majority. Moreover, if we stay, we will die. If we can't rush out, we will still die. Why don't we fight?" Those who had been on the city wall and served as Sun Quan's soldiers gritted their teeth and wanted to fight.
Zhang Da and Zhang Er looked at each other and saw a trace of a smile in each other's eyes. They had succeeded.
"What are you doing! Why aren't you going back? Didn't you hear Minister Lu's order? Everyone, return to the city. "A soldier noticed the commotion and shouted at the commoners.
These commoners looked at each other, but they didn't retreat. Instead, they went to the outskirts. The soldier frowned and was about to go forward and add these commoners who were about to leave back into the ranks.
Just as Sun Cejun's soldier approached these commoners, two burly men suddenly rushed out and tied up Sun Cejun's soldier.
"What do you want?" Sun Cejun's soldier was stunned.
"What do we want? Naturally, we want to kill you." Saying that, the burly man twisted Sun Cejun's soldier's head and broke his neck.
"Bold! Unruly people dare to attack our soldiers!" Sun Ce's soldiers saw the situation and immediately pulled out their swords.
"What are you waiting for? They want to settle accounts. Returning to the city means death. If we can't escape, we will also die. Why don't we fight them?" Zhang Da and Zhang Er shouted.
"Fight! Fight!" There were a lot of commoners. Sun Cejun's soldiers couldn't react in time and were hit by a wave of commoners. Many commoners who were going to follow the soldiers back to the city also began to flee.
"Arrest, arrest, arrest all of them!" Sun Cejun's captain was angry. This group of unruly commoners, when they were in the city, they went up the city walls to help the evildoers. Now that the city was breached, they still dared to attack soldiers. Aren't they courting death?
"Wait!" Just as Sun Cejun's captain was about to kill the commoners, he was stopped by someone. It turned out that Lu Su and the others had arrived. Sun Cejun went to the east gate and Lu Su came to the west gate. He looked at the commoners below and couldn't help but frown, but then he relaxed. There was even a hint of a sneer on his face.
"Zhang Zhao, Mr. Zhang, you really gave yourself away." If it wasn't for the commoners this time, Lu Su would have a hard time finding Zhang Zhao. This was because Lu Su speculated that Zhang Zhao didn't go through the tunnel, but it was just a speculation. If Zhang Zhao really went through the tunnel, there was nothing he could do.
But now, Lu Su's guess was confirmed. Zhang Zhao didn't go through the tunnel in his house, but went through the west gate openly. There was a reason why Lu Su stopped Sun Cejun's captain. If he started a massacre, it would be troublesome to get the people's support back.
Lu Su stood on the high ground and looked at the commoners below. They were roughly divided into three groups. One group of people ran towards the countryside. These people had homes there and subconsciously wanted to go home. It was impossible for Zhang Zhao to be among them. Zhang Zhao definitely didn't want to stay in Jiangdong for a moment. A group of people ran towards the forest. Most of them were hunters or those who were familiar with the forest. Sometimes, young people couldn't withstand the humidity in the forest. With Zhang Zhao's character, it was impossible for him to go there. There was also a group of people who ran towards the Yangtze River. These people wanted to leave through the water.
"Pass down the order! Those who went to the forest, let them go. All the soldiers are to block the mouth of the Yangtze River. We must not let anyone cross the river. "This was a tributary of the Yangtze River.
"Yes!" The commander of Sun Ce's Army nodded his head and led his men to rush towards the mouth of the Yangtze River.
"Not good!" Although Zhang Zhao was also on his way, he was also looking around. He was an old fox. When he saw that the soldiers didn't care about the people who were going to the forest and the countryside, instead, they went straight towards the mouth of the Yangtze River. He knew that something bad was going to happen. This meant that his whereabouts had already been discovered.
"Master Zhang? If the soldiers block the mouth of the river, we won't be able to leave. "Sun Quan also became anxious and asked Zhang Zhao.
"It's fine, it's fine!" Zhang Zhao stared at Sun Quan for a moment before his eyes started rolling. "My lord, we need to split up. Otherwise, you and I will definitely be captured together."
"Split up?" Sun Quan was stunned.
"Yes, Lord, you are young. Run towards the forest and hide there. Wait for the storm to blow over before you come out!" Zhang Zhao said to Sun Quan.
"What about you, Master Zhang?" Sun Quan asked doubtfully.
"Me? I am already a bag of old bones. I won't be able to enter the forest. I will take the river. If I can get out, I will. If I can't, I will cover for you. As long as you can get out, my efforts won't be in vain." Zhang Zhao said to Sun Quan as though he was going to sacrifice himself.
"Master Zhang, take care of yourself." Sun Quan had purple hair and blue eyes. He was a cold person by nature. If it was anyone else, even if it was that big-eared Liu, they would also put on an act. However, Sun Quan didn't. Now, they could only split up. Otherwise, they would be captured together.
"En! Lord, you take care too! Zhang Da, Zhang Er, go and protect the Lord. Don't let the Lord suffer any losses! "Zhang Zhao said to his two subordinates.
"Yes!" Zhang Da and Zhang Er nodded and walked behind Sun Quan. Sun Quan didn't refuse. Since Zhang Zhao was prepared to sacrifice himself, then give these useful things to me.
Sun Quan didn't even look back as he left, heading towards the dense forest. However, he didn't see the cold sneer in Zhang Zhao's eyes.
"Master, is it worth it? This General Zhendong? " The old woman by the side asked. This General Zhendong is too much. He abandoned Zhang Zhao just like that. No matter what, Zhang Zhao was protecting you. You didn't even say anything to comfort him.
"Hehe, of course it's worth it. Why wouldn't it be worth it?" She thought that Zhang Zhao would be angry, but unexpectedly, Zhang Zhao smiled strangely.
"Alright, let's go. The ship is still waiting for us." Zhang Zhao and the old woman continued walking towards the river.
"Zhang Da, Zhang Er, right? As long as I, Sun Quan, escape alive, I will definitely reward you!" Sun Quan said to Zhang Da and Zhang Er, hoping that he could subdue them.
"Thank you, General Zhendong. However, I'm afraid that we won't be able to accept your reward." Zhang Da and Zhang Er said to Sun Quan expressionlessly.
"What do you mean?" Sun Quan saw the direction of the forest. They were about to reach the Mao Forest. As long as they entered the forest, they would be able to shake off Lu Su's pursuit. "Let's go! “
"We don't have to go!" Zhang Da and Zhang Er said.
"En?" Sun Quan frowned. He thought that they were going to chase after their clan head. "Master Zhang, that place is to protect us. He won't be able to escape."
"No, our clan head can escape." Zhang Da and Zhang Er smiled strangely.
Although Sun Quan was puzzled, he still walked towards the Mao Forest. However, he was suddenly stopped by Zhang Da and Zhang Er.
"What are you doing? If you want to die with Zhang Zhao, go ahead. Don't bring me along! "Sun Quan berated Zhang Da and Zhang Er.
"Die with him!" Zhang Da and Zhang Er said to Sun Quan.
"Die with him?" Sun Quan's eyes widened. However, he soon understood what they meant.
"Sun Quan is here, Sun Quan is here!" Zhang Da and Zhang Er shouted loudly.
"You guys are crazy!" Sun Quan's eyes widened.
"We are not crazy." Zhang Da and Zhang Er smiled at Sun Quan. "General Zhendong, you and our clan head are after all. Without our clan head, you wouldn't be here. General Zhendong, you wouldn't be here now. I'm afraid that you would still be in that prison. Thus, our clan head wants to get rid of you for one thing, and that is to use you as a cover for our clan head."
Sun Quan wanted to run, but he was restrained by Zhang Da and Zhang Er.
"Reporting, reporting to Minister Lu. Someone found Sun Quan in the Mao Forest." A soldier came back to report.
"Second Young Master?" Lu Su and Sun Quan were friends. He didn't call Sun Quan a traitor and still called him Second Young Master.
"Yes!"
"Is the news reliable?"
"A few people who have seen Sun Quan said that it was Sun Quan." The soldier reported to Lu Su.
"Second Young Master is in the Mao Forest?" Lu Su was stunned. He guessed wrongly. They didn't run towards the river?
"What should we do now, Minister Lu?" One of his subordinates asked Lu Su.
"Let's go to the Mao Forest!" Sun Quan's appearance interrupted Lu Su's train of thought. Lu Su couldn't understand why Sun Quan would appear in the Mao Forest.
Halfway there, Lu Su suddenly asked Sun Cejun's soldier, "How did you find Sun Quan?"
"Commoners found him!" Sun Cejun's soldier replied.
Commoners found him? Lu Su's frown deepened, "How many people are there?"
"Three!" Sun Cejun's landowning household replied.
"Three? Does that mean Zhang Zhao is among them? " Lu Su was even more confused. Could it be that Zhang Zhao, who was already so old, still wanted to wander around the forest? Was he tired of living? If that was the case, Lu Su didn't need to send troops. Zhang Zhao would die without a doubt.
"We didn't see Zhang Zhao! All three of them are strong men. "Sun Cejun's soldier reported to Lu Su.
"What!" Lu Su was stunned. They were about to reach the place where Sun Quan was found.
"Zhang Zhao, Zhang Zhao, my good Master Zhang!" Sun Quan finally understood why Zhang Zhao wanted him to come to the Mao Forest. He even asked Zhang Da and Zhang Er to come with him. This wasn't to help Sun Quan escape, but to use him as a cover. He was treating Sun Quan as a sacrificial pawn so that Zhang Zhao could escape as soon as possible.
"Zhang Zhao, since you are so heartless, don't blame me for being unrighteous! Zhang Zhao is by the river. Zhang Zhao wants to leave by ferry! "Sun Quan suddenly shouted.
"Not good!" Both sides shouted. Zhang Da and Zhang Er shouted because Sun Quan's sudden shout had exposed the whereabouts of their clan head. If they had known earlier, they would have directly knocked Sun Quan out. On the other side, Lu Su also shouted.
"Pass down my orders. A group of men will escort Second Young Master back to the city. The rest of you, follow me!" Lu Su immediately turned his horse around and rushed towards the tributary of the Yangtze River.
Galloping at full speed, they didn't stop at all. However, when they reached the tributary of the Yangtze River, small boats had already left. Lu Su looked into the distance and saw an old man in ragged clothes on a small boat looking at the riverside.
Although the old man was wearing ragged clothes, Lu Su could tell at a glance that he was Zhang Zhao.
"Lu Su, Minister Lu, you don't have to send me off. You don't have to send me off. I'm leaving now. Wait for me. We'll be reunited one day!" Zhang Zhao also saw Lu Su from the bow of the ship. He waved his hand at Lu Su and sneered.
Zhang Zhao was full of hatred towards Lu Su. If it wasn't for Lu Su, he wouldn't have become like this! The huge Zhang family was shattered. Only a few people escaped from the Zhang family. If it wasn't for Lu Su, Zhang Zhao would still be the number one noble family in Jiangdong. He would be second only to one person in Jiangdong. Therefore, Zhang Zhao hated Lu Su.
On the surface, it seemed like a greeting to a friend, but in reality, it was a threat and ridicule. Lu Su, you can't catch me. Wait for me, I, Zhang Zhao, will be back.
"Damn it!" The Jiangdong Army's commander, Sun Ce, also rushed to the river. He couldn't find any trace of Zhang Zhao outside the South Gate or the East Gate. Although he caught some people, they were all insignificant members of the Zhang family. When he heard the movement at the West Gate, Sun Ce immediately rushed over. Who knew that Zhang Zhao would still escape.
"Mr. Zhang Zhao, why are you a thief when you are full of vengeance? I don't know how many years have passed since we parted. If we meet again, Lu Su will definitely let Mr. Zhang Zhao return to his roots. " Lu Su didn't want to lose face and was very polite to Zhang Zhao. Even though he couldn't catch Zhang Zhao, he wasn't flustered and exasperated. Instead, he cupped his hands and said to Zhang Zhao. Of course, Lu Su wasn't someone who wouldn't talk back after being scolded.
What does it mean to return to one's roots? That meant he was dead! Zhang Zhao, if you didn't threaten me, will you come back? Fine, I will wait for you to come back. I am afraid that when you come back, you will be a corpse. I will bury you in Jiangdong.
"Hmph! Goodbye! " Zhang Zhao coldly snorted and entered the cabin. Following the river, the boat moved further and further away from Lu Su and Sun Ce's sight.
"Marquis Wu, don't be angry. Zhang Zhao has left. Second Young Master has been found." Lu Su said to Sun Ce.
"Is that true?" Sun Ce was stunned for a moment. Then, a complicated expression appeared on his face. There was surprise, joy, and anger.
"Yes!" Lu Su could also see that our Mister Zhang Zhao had easily abandoned our Sun family's second young master in order to escape for his own life. How pitiful.
"Let's go back to the city. Second Young Master should be waiting for Marquis Wu in his mansion." Lu Su said and rode away.
Since Zhang Zhao had run away, there was no need to guard the east and west gates anymore. In the city, there was not much food left. Kuaiji City was in a mess. Lu Su ordered the people to help clean up the city. The corpses were buried and burned. All the people who helped were given food. Therefore, Kuaiji City was cleaned up very quickly.
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